PSC vs. RYLD

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

PSC (Principal U.S. Small Cap Multi-Factor ETF) and RYLD (Global X Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PSC is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq US Small Cap Select Leaders TR Index, while RYLD is a Derivative Income fund tracking the CBOE Russell 2000 BuyWrite Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PSC returned 9.51%/yr vs 3.15%/yr for RYLD. Their correlation of 0.83 means they have usually moved in the same direction. PSC charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for RYLD.

Performance

PSC vs. RYLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal U.S. Small Cap Multi-Factor ETF (PSC) and Global X Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF (RYLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSC achieves a 18.31% return, which is significantly higher than RYLD's 12.29% return.

PSC

• 1D: -0.58%
• 1M: -1.08%
• 6M: 13.74%
• YTD: 18.31%
• 1Y: 31.90%
• 3Y*: 16.31%
• 5Y*: 9.51%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.86%

RYLD

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 1.19%
• 6M: 10.16%
• YTD: 12.29%
• 1Y: 24.93%
• 3Y*: 8.04%
• 5Y*: 3.15%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 5.81%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
PSC Principal U.S. Small Cap Multi-Factor ETF	$6.70M	$7.59M	$7.79M
RYLD Global X Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF	$10.07M	$9.36M	$9.08M

PSC vs. RYLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
PSC Principal U.S. Small Cap Multi-Factor ETF	18.31%	13.41%	12.38%	18.51%	-15.91%	32.56%	13.30%	3.92%
RYLD Global X Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF	12.29%	5.65%	10.13%	0.27%	-13.03%	22.13%	-0.44%	8.86%

Correlation

The correlation between PSC and RYLD is 0.84, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 22, 2019	0.83

The correlation between PSC and RYLD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

PSC vs. RYLD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PSC	RYLD
Technology	19.5%	14.5%
Healthcare	16.9%	20.3%
Financial Services	16.9%	17.8%
Industrials	16.8%	14.1%
Consumer Cyclical	8.1%	9.2%
Real Estate	5.3%	6.8%
Energy	5.1%	5.5%
Basic Materials	4.1%	4.4%
Communication Services	2.6%	2.2%
Utilities	2.4%	2.8%
Consumer Defensive	2.3%	2.6%

Return for Risk

PSC vs. RYLD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

PSC

PSC Risk / Return Rank: 73
PSC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
PSC Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
PSC Omega Ratio Rank: 63
PSC Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
PSC Martin Ratio Rank: 80

RYLD

RYLD Risk / Return Rank: 90
RYLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
RYLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
RYLD Omega Ratio Rank: 92
RYLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
RYLD Martin Ratio Rank: 91

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

PSC vs. RYLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal U.S. Small Cap Multi-Factor ETF (PSC) and Global X Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF (RYLD). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	PSC	RYLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.58	2.17	-0.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.30	3.05	-0.76
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.45	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.97	3.67	-0.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.41	15.02	-4.61

PSC vs. RYLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSC Sharpe Ratio is 1.58, which is comparable to the RYLD Sharpe Ratio of 2.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSC and RYLD, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

PSC vs. RYLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSC drawdown since its inception was -46.69%, which is greater than RYLD's maximum drawdown of -41.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSC and RYLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSC	RYLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.69%	-41.53%	-5.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.95%	-6.29%	-3.66%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.49%	-19.05%	-4.44%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.86%	-21.33%	-4.53%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.78%	-0.37%	-2.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.17%	-8.65%	+0.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.84%	1.54%	+1.30%

Volatility

PSC vs. RYLD - Volatility Comparison

Principal U.S. Small Cap Multi-Factor ETF (PSC) has a higher volatility of 3.84% compared to Global X Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF (RYLD) at 2.07%. This indicates that PSC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RYLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSC	RYLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.84%	2.07%	+1.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.31%	7.73%	+5.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.77%	10.67%	+8.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.88%	13.97%	+6.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.19%	17.04%	+6.15%

PSC vs. RYLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSC has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is lower than RYLD's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSC vs. RYLD - Dividend Comparison

PSC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.53%, less than RYLD's 11.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
PSC Principal U.S. Small Cap Multi-Factor ETF	0.53%	0.67%	0.75%	0.73%	1.92%	1.45%	1.25%	1.47%	1.30%	0.95%	0.35%
RYLD Global X Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF	11.62%	12.00%	12.03%	12.64%	13.49%	12.35%	10.76%	6.43%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSC and RYLD in my portfolio?

PSC and RYLD have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PSC or RYLD?

PSC has higher volatility (3.84%) compared to RYLD (2.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSC dropped -46.69% vs RYLD's -41.53%.

Which ETF is better, PSC or RYLD?

On 5-year performance, PSC leads with 9.51% vs 3.15% for RYLD. On fees, PSC is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, RYLD has been the lower-risk option at 2.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PSC or RYLD?

Over the 5-year period, PSC has performed better with a 9.51% return vs 3.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PSC or RYLD?

PSC is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for RYLD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PSC or RYLD?

RYLD has the higher dividend yield at 11.62%, compared with 0.53% for PSC.

What is the main difference between PSC and RYLD?

PSC is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while RYLD is Derivative Income. PSC tracks Nasdaq US Small Cap Select Leaders TR Index, while RYLD tracks CBOE Russell 2000 BuyWrite Index. They also come from different issuers: Principal and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.38% for PSC and 0.60% for RYLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RYLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 1.58), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.